Symphony of Death

Anastasia’s POV

“Are you okay, Ana?” Angie asked worriedly. “Are you sure you should be out and about like this?”

“I’m not sick, Angie,” I chuckled. Nat and Angie kept looking at me with pursed lips. “It’s enough guys. I’m not dead yet.”

“Shut up, Ana,” Nat reprimanded.

“Then drop the look,” I groaned. “I’m going to survive. Don’t you know Cain? He is not going to let me–”

“I don’t want to hear the word,” Angie interrupted me sharply. “I’ve developed a new kind of hatred for it.”

“I cannot get that moment out of my head,” Nat said grimly. “When you were pulled inside that black hole.” She grabbed my hand. “I never thought I’d fear losing a friend so much.”

“It’s ironic, isn’t it?” Angie smiled sadly. “How these moments are the only times one realizes the importance of a person in their life.” She looked at Shae when she sat next to her and patted her back. “And now Shae is being nice to me.” She sobbed.

“Angie,” I hissed when she attracted unwanted attention with her bawling. “Stop it, you loon.”

“I think we should go back to our place,” Nat pulled Angie up by her arm. “We won’t be able to enjoy a single cup of coffee without her creating a scene with her pig-like howling.”

“That’s so mean,” Angie wailed and whined.

Nat and Shae palmed her mouth and glared at her murderously when she started babbling incoherently.

If Angie continued this any longer, the whole world would know that I was playing tug of war with death.

“Let me use the restroom.” I got up. “Try to tone her down till then.” I glared at her and went to the restroom.

I washed my hands and looked at my reflection. I heaved a long sigh and closed my eyes.

“When will this end?” I whispered to myself. “I don’t think I will ever be able to know.”

“You are right.” My eyes flew open and I stared at the cloaked figure in horror. “You won’t be able to know because you won’t live long enough to know.” I pushed back when he neared me.

“You!” I cupped my mouth when he removed his cloak and revealed his face. “Harold!” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

He was charred from head to toe. His skin was falling off in places and the burn marks looked hideous. He looked nothing like he used to.

“Your face says it all, dear Anastasia,” Harold sneered at me. “It’s all thanks to your lover that I am in this condition. I’m dying, Anastasia.”

I held my breath when he invaded my space. It was so hard to breathe in the rancid smell. I wanted to throw up.

“But I won’t go down alone.” Harold growled. “Those bastards betrayed me. Those fucking Blue Bloods. But they won’t be able to stay hidden any longer.” He chuckled. “Cain must have gotten my gift by now.”

“You have lost already. So stop–”

“I have not,” I closed my eyes when Harold loomed over me. “Remember what I told you in the Slumbering Hollow!” He took something out from his cloak. “Remember my treasure?”

“This?” I looked at the heart in confusion. It was deteriorating like Harold’s condition. “What is this?”

“Something that could break the last of the curse.” I looked at him with wide eyes. “Yes, Anastasia.” Harold laughed evilly. “This is the heart of the one who cast the curse.”

I felt like he punched me in the face.

“It’s Omisha’s heart,” Harold raised it for me to see. “It is dying like me because you broke the curse. I am almost on my deathbed. There is nothing to keep it going any longer.”

I was stunned into silence.

“I’m not going to lose, Anastasia,” Harold snarled in my face. “I don’t care if I don’t live to get those wings from Cain. I never cared enough about them. It was his downfall that I wanted.” His eyes burnt with mania.

“He won’t be able to save you. He can dig out the pits of hell but he won’t be able to find a way,” he laughed when I cried. “Because there isn’t any.”

“Cain will experience infinite pain and despair every second you will suffer. He will die every second you will die. That’s a fair enough deal.” I shook my head pleadingly.

“But you know what’s the icing of this entire situation?” His smile was sinister. “You won’t be able to tell Cain any of this because you won’t want him to die for your sake.”

I palmed my mouth when he burnt the heart before my eyes.

“Oops,” Harold laughed like a madman, “there went your last hope.” I glared at him balefully. “If I can’t have the power, no one will and I will make sure I watch Cain burn those Blue Bloods to ashes before I die. He will live in true agony endlessly after losing you.”

“Monster,” I screamed at him. “You monster!” I fell to the floor.

“Want me to tell you one more thing?” Harold knelt before me. “Your dear Laurel and her Dalim knew all of this all along.” He cooed. “She could have saved you if she wanted but she kept playing the lying game to the very end.” Harold chuckled.

“She cared about her dear Dalim more than you, Anastasia. Taking down Cain mattered to them more than your fleeting life.”

“Liar,” I cried loudly. “You are lying. Laurel won’t do this to me.”

“Can you reach her?” He mocked. “I thought so,” he laughed at my silence. “Why don’t you try one more time and see if she answers your pleas?” Harold stood up. “We won’t be meeting on the same sides but see you on the other side, Anastasia.” He disappeared.

“It’s a lie. It’s a LIE.” I screamed and punched the floor. “It can’t be. It can’t–Laurel?” I called her desperately. “Laurel!” I screamed. “Answer me, damn it. I want my answers. Do you hear me?” I yelled in the air. “LYRA!”

The time stopped and the space distorted. I looked around when the dimension began to shift around me.

I found myself in the Aether Estuary once again.

“Anastasia,” l glared at her angrily. She was standing with Dalim. Their calm and collected expression erupted a volcano inside me. “I warned you.”

“You knew,” I accused her. “So you knew all along but you didn’t tell us.”

“It was not our place”

“Yes, because you like to watch people suffer.” I cut Dalim sharply. “You are sick. You are really sick.” I shouted at him. “Was it fun? Is it fun?” I looked between them.

“Did you get a good laugh out of our pain? Did you enjoy watching us desperately looking for that cure when you knew all along where it lied?” I chuckled dryly and looked at Dalim. “I thought you were nice but you are nothing but crazy sadistic–”

“Anastasia!” Laurel thundered at me.

“It’s alright, Lyra,” Dalim stopped her. “Get up, child,” he extended his hand for me. “Are you aware that this anger and aggravation will worsen your condition?”

“What does it matter?” I snapped back. “I’m going to die anyway.”

“What are you angry about, my child?” I didn’t fight when Dalim grabbed my arms and pulled me up. “That we didn’t help you?” He looked at me solemnly. “Why would we mess with the fate and flow of time?”

“Spare me this nonsense,” I spat acridly. “I know you don’t do shit without taking a price. It’s not that you couldn’t, it’s because you wanted us to offer a limb or two to get your help.”

“You make me sound like a bad guy,” Dalim chuckled. “But that’s one way to put it. I won’t do anything for free. Especially for that monster.”

“Cain is not a monster,” I said angrily. “If any, you and those Blue Bloods are the real monsters.”

“You are saying this because you love him,” Dalim responded calmly. “But the truth remains that he is the evil that needs to be eradicated.” I fisted my hands in anger. “I can save you. I hold nothing against you, little Anastasia.”

“You are created by divinity with so much love and care. We want you to be saved and protected.” I wanted to laugh at this. “I don’t mind bending my rules for you a little. But it will come with a price,” Dalim said coldly. “A price that someone else will pay for you.”

“Cain’s wing,” Laurel elaborated coldly. “If Cain is willing to sacrifice the wing he retrieved, you will be saved.”

I looked at her in disbelief.

“Do you want to test it?” Dalim smiled at me, “whether he is willing to give up a part of the power he gained from your sacrifice?” I kept my silence. “Cain already knows that there is no way to save you. He tried reaching me but I refused.” I couldn’t stop the tears.

“You have five more days. I leave it up to you, Anastasia.” He slammed his staff on the ground. “It’s up to you to decide now.”

The dimensions began to change.

“You want him to sacrifice for your life or you want to sacrifice yourself for his sake.”

I fell to the floor when I returned to the restroom.

“Why?” I sobbed. “Why did it have–” I clutched my chest.

How could I choose?

“Cain,” I screamed his name. “CAIN!”

“Ana,” I threw myself in his arms as soon as he came to me. “What’s wrong?” I tightened my arms around his neck when he tried looking at my face. “Are you hurting?” He pulled me away and held my face. “What’s wrong, damn it?”

“I,” I buried my face in his chest and cried loudly. “I’m sorry.”

Cain lifted me in his arms and teleported us back to his room.

“Einar!” He yelled angrily and held me in his arms protectively. “You will be fine. Don’t worry,” Cain hugged me tightly.

I couldn’t make him sacrifice for me.

“What’s wrong?” Einar came. “What happened to her?” Cain let go of me reluctantly to let him examine me. “Are you in pain?”

He looked at me when I wrote on his hand. His mouth set in a hard line when I looked at him pleadingly.

“I need you to leave, Cain,” Einar looked at him. “Right now.”

“I’m not leaving her,” Cain snapped.

“Cain!” Einar raised his voice. “Please!”

“I’m outside,” Cain stormed out of the room and Einar cast a spell so that he couldn’t hear us.

“What’s going on?” Einar asked me. “Calm down and tell me why you are like this?” He gave me a glass of water. “Calm down, Anastasia. Everything will be fine.”

“I met Harold,” I hiccuped.

“He is alive?” Einar asked, shocked.

“Blue Bloods too,” I sobbed. “They betrayed him and ran away when Cain attacked them.” Einar cursed loudly. “I didn’t tell you something.” I wiped my cheeks. “Harold had a hidden cave under his palace. There was a heart there. It was pumping blood without any outside source.”

“What?” Einar grimaced.

“It was Omisha’s heart,” I started crying again. “He said it was the only way to break the curse and cure me.” I wiped my tears furiously. “But he destroyed it before my eyes. He said there is no other way to save me now.” I palmed my forehead. “He is dying, Einar. He was in terrible condition.”

“He could be lying, Anastasia.” I closed my eyes when Einar palmed my forehead. The pain in my head subsided a little.

“He was not lying, Einar,” I teared up once again. “I met Dalim. He said it was true. He knew all along. Laurel too but they didn’t tell because they didn’t want to help Cain.”

“Of course,” Einar scoffed bitterly. “There is nothing new in it. They want him dead like rest.” His scowl deepened when he looked at me. “Are you hiding something?”

“Dalim said,” I stuttered, “he said he could save me. He said I have five more days left but he can save me.”

“How?” Einar held my shoulders. “Tell me, Anastasia.”

“Someone has to sacrifice for me,” my voice broke. “Cain has to sacrifice the wing he regained.” I buried my face in my palms and sobbed loudly. “He mocked me, Einar. He was mocking my love.”

“We need to tell Cain,” I looked at Einar horrified. “He needs to know.”

“No,” I shook my head. “Please, no” I held his hands. “I don’t want him to give up his wing for me. It can’t happen, Einar. He can’t know.”

“But, Anastasia!”

“I can’t make him kneel in front of such selfish beings because of me.” I wiped my tears. “I will die but I won’t let anyone make a joke out of him and his love for me.”

“Anastasia,” Einar said exasperatedly, “He won’t be able to live without you. He will become a monster without you, Anastasia.”

“He won’t,” I smiled through my tears. “I won’t let him become the monster everyone calls him. Never.” I gripped his hands feebly. “Promise me you won’t tell him anything, Einar. Cain will never know. Please?”

“This is cruel,” he hissed. “And people call us evil.” He palmed my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Just promise me one thing that you will always take care of Cain.” He nodded. “Thank you.”

“We should let him in now.” He stood up and removed the charm. “Cain will tear his way inside if he doesn’t see you a minute longer.”

“Make some excuse and take him to his study please,” I stood up as well. “I need to do something before I meet him.”

“Don’t give up, Anastasia,” Einar palmed my head again. “Don’t give up yet. I am not a believer of miracles but I’m going to bet on it.” His eyes held a new determination. “You are not going to lose to a fucking fate. I am going to carve out a way to save you two.”

I grabbed the notepad and pen from the table when Einar left and sat down on the bed.

I didn’t have much time left.

I thought carefully before writing down everything and went to Cain’s study after changing into comfortable clothes.

“Don’t hide anything from me, Einar.” My heart constricted painfully.

No time to waste, Ana. You don’t have enough.

I mustered a bright smile and entered his study. As expected, they sensed me. Cain was sitting behind his desk and Einar was standing across from him.

“Am I disturbing?” I looked between them.

“No,” Einar smiled. “I was about to leave.” He looked at Cain meaningfully. “Let me know if you feel any pain.” I nodded and he left us alone.

“Your friends know I brought you here,” Cain informed me. He arched one brow in question when I sat in his lap and gave him the paper.

“I’m sorry for today,” I wrapped his arm around my waist. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.” Cain read through the list. “Are you angry?”

“What is this now?” He asked. He was angry. I could see how hard he was trying not to confront me for my breakdown.

“My wish list,” I said happily. “You said you will give me everything.” I pouted. “I want to do everything on this list.”

Cain palmed his cheek and looked at me in amusement.

“You know I couldn’t do three-quarters of the things I wanted because of my eyes. But now I want to do all of them and with you.” I beamed at him.

“This?” Cain raised the list. “You want to do these things?” I nodded excitedly. He looked at the list again and scowled.

“You don’t want to?” My face fell. “I just thought of having some fun with you.”

“Is this your idea of fun?” Cain scoffed. “It’s lame.”

“Fine,” I said annoyed, “don’t do it if you don’t want to but don’t make fun of it either.” Cain extended his hand out of my reach when I tried to snatch the list. “I’ll go on my own.”

“No need to be so dramatic,” Cain hugged me tightly. “I was messing with you.” I groaned when he kissed my forehead. “Let’s see,” he hummed. “Around the world in two days!”

“Yes,” I said excitedly. “We are going to break all the records in the world all thanks to your teleporting ability,” I said proudly. “Let’s set off tonight.”

“Flirting with twenty guys on a beach.” Cain glared at me. “And then you want me to beat them?”

“Yes,” I grinned. “I already know you are possessive of me but I want to see you in action and fighting over me with humans.”

“You are sadistic in your own way,” Cain shook his head at me. “A horror movie date in a haunted place?”

“Find me the best one,” I said seriously.

“I like this one,” Cain smirked. “Making love under the stars.” He looked at me playfully. “That can be arranged right now.” I yelped when he pinched my butt.

“We move in order,” I squeaked when his hand went inside my shorts. “This is foul play, Cain. Move in order.”

“Fine,” he got up with me in his arms. “Let’s do everything you want, no matter how crazy it sounds.” I giggled when he kissed my nose. “I just want you to be happy and healthy next to me.”

“And I always want you to be happy and healthy,” I kissed his lips. “Let’s live these five days like there is no tomorrow.”

“Five days?” Cain repeated skeptically. “Why five days?”

“Because they are part of my grand scheme,” I grinned mischievously. “My scheme to steal you away from everything and everyone.” I looped my arms around his neck and pushed myself against him.

“I’m all yours, love,” Cain kissed me deeply. I fought back the tears that threatened to resurface. “Now and always,” Cain murmured against my lips.

“I love you, Cain,” I caressed his cheek. “I love you so much.” He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch.

This will be more than enough.

I won’t bound him with my love. Cain doesn’t need to be chained to me and give up.

These five days would be enough for me. I would live my whole life with him every second. I would give him all of what I have left.

My love. My life. My everything.

So when I died after five days, I wouldn’t leave with any regrets.